Blue and Gold Illustrated

GAME PREVIEW: NAVY of 48.2 points per contest. Out of 41 full possessions (not including killing the clock at each half), Notre Dame in those four games punted only four times. Out of those 41 possessions, the Irish scored a touchdown on 27 of them, or a .659 percentage (basically two touch- downs per three possessions), kicked two field goals, missed two field goals, had six turnovers and punted four times. • In 2011, Notre Dame scored touch- downs on five of its first six series on offense to take a commanding lead. • In 2012, the Irish again tallied touchdowns on five of their six first series, plus a fumble return for a score by defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt. • In 2013, a 38-34 Notre Dame win, the Irish possessed the ball for only eight full series, but scored five touch- downs and a field goal to atone for two interceptions. It scored touch- downs on three straight second-half series to regain the lead. • Last year, Notre Dame reached the end zone on each of its first four pos- sessions to build a 28-7 cushion, only to fall behind 31-28 before posting a 49-39 victory. Navy had put up its share of points in this series to make it competitive. But unless Notre Dame has a three- or four-turnover type of day — it had three to Navy's zero in the 23-21 loss in 2009 and two to Navy's zero in the 35-17 setback in 2010 — the chances of the Midshipmen keeping pace are slim. ✦ Predictions Bryan Driskell: Notre Dame 52, Navy 31 Navy will move the ball and score against Notre Dame, but the Irish offense is on a different level this season, and one that Navy cannot keep up with. Andrew Ivins: Notre Dame 31, Navy 19 Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Brian VanGorder & Co. appear to have the triple‑option figured out, and that bodes well for the Irish, who should move the ball with ease against Navy. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 41, Navy 24 The Irish seemed to solve the triple‑option puzzle against Georgia Tech, but the Mids are typically good for 20‑plus points. Don't expect the nail‑biters Navy achieved in 2013 and 2014, though. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 42, Navy 27 As long as the Irish don't get overconfident that they have the triple option "figured out" from the Georgia Tech result, they should score enough to keep Navy at bay (or port). Jordan Wells: Notre Dame 38, Navy 21 Keenan Reynolds and this game being squeezed between Clemson and USC means the Midshipmen will score a few times. But the Irish offense has showed no signs of slowing down, and Navy won't be able to hold serve.

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